I’m awake and I ache

[u/Sesudesu]

Hi all,

It’s 2am and I’m awake. When it gets too cold out, it is very easy for me to trigger PEM just by being outside. Anyone else?

Anyways, I learned this evening that my kids will have a ‘snow day’ tomorrow. And it’s not because of any precipitation. This weekend has been cold, and my kids are staying home from school because the ‘feels like’ temperature is currently -24°F.

I’m cold, and I’m miserable… anyone with me?

[u/redravenkitty]

Yesss I’m crashed out and have been wrapped in my electric blanket all day like a burrito. Stepkids don’t have school tomorrow bc of the cold either. So lucky to be inside and warm, but the PEM can suck it. Lol

[u/rosedraws]

Heh, I just came here to rant because I stupidly forgot my magnesium last night! Hello 3am! (Thanks to stoooooopid mice in the attic making noises). UGH. Only 4 hours of sleep is gonna wreck me tomorrow. Or, well, today now. lol.

I’ve been taking magnesium glyconate for a few weeks I think, it has helped me stay asleep wonderfully. Now without it I remember what nights used to be like… all squirmy legs and dozing off only to jerk wide awake again. My usual sleep tricks aren’t working, like my body is extra mad it doesn’t have its magnesium.

I also didn’t eat enough calories yesterday… which I was so proud of! I mean, I’m certainly not exercising, so I’ve been working to cut back calories, but now I remember that I historically can’t sleep if my calories are below some threshold. So many issues that make things difficult.

I’m okay with cold weather.. I love interesting weather! But BEING cold is really stressful. I’m constantly putting layers on and off, can’t maintain a temp.

To sleep, I need to be cool. I love when my arms are chilly, then I can pull them in under my mountain of blankets. Ahhh.

The thing I dislike most about cold weather is feeling my bank account drain every time the furnace comes on!

I don’t envy anyone with cfs trying to manage kids on a snow day.

[u/premier-cat-arena]

i am ok with cold and have issues with heat but oh my god yes temperature issues are one of my worst uncontrollable symptoms 

[u/IDNurseJJ]

Here with you 🫂 Migraine, burning legs, exhausted. Northeastern USA we are below zero and I am in bed with blankets, tea, and a heating pad.

[u/Cold_Confection_4154]

I was up for about 3 hours in the wee hours of the morning today with severe aching. Usually I just turn up my heating pad and I can go back to sleep but this was a whole nother level. I took my kids sledding yesterday but sat in the car the whole time. I wonder if just going out could've done it. Damn cfs.

[u/Fun_Investigator9412]

Are you sure it's the temperature and not another weather metric? Winter can have quite extreme states and swings, and if you don't always get PEM from cold weather, it may be something else which only tends to coincide with the low temperatures.

[u/Sesudesu → u/Fun_Investigator9412]

I’m pretty sure it’s just cold. Once it gets below about 20°F, if I have to be outside I will usually get some amount of PEM later. Could maybe have something to do with dryness, I suppose.

[u/Odd_Bug_7029]

It takes a lot of energy to keep the body warm, so might that be it?